Purpose of the Program

The Bachelor of Criminal Justice is a multi-disciplinary academic program that examines the characteristics and operations of the criminal justice system as well as relationships between crime and crime control within the context of a democratic society. The program is specifically designed to explore individual, social, cultural, historical, and organizational influences on criminal justice policies and operations from both theoretical and real-world perspectives. You will develop an understanding of the history of crime and justice administration and the ways in which it is embedded in contemporary cultures.

The program is designed to prepare you for a wide variety of careers in criminal justice areas such as policing, corrections, court administration, customs and regulatory law enforcement. Specifically, the program is designed to give you a broad foundation of skills, knowledge and capabilities for actively participating in criminal justice administration, including the three major sub-systems of the industry: policing, courts and corrections. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in one or more areas including: civil law; criminal law; courts; corrections; critical criminology; dispute resolution; gendered violence; indigenous studies; international security; policing; social justice; and youth justice.

These specialisations are aligned with professional knowledge and capabilities relevant to different careers in justice. In your final year, you will be provided with a vocational capstone experience in the 50 day HWSS2181 Justice and Legal Internship in a criminal justice organisation and a conceptual capstone experience in SOCU2116 Contemporary Criminology through which you will integrate and synthesise your knowledge, connect theory to practice, and demonstrate your holistic achievement of the program learning outcomes.

Successful completion of this program provides a pathway into a Masters. Upon successful completion of this program you may also be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University.

You may be eligible for credit into other RMIT University programs for successfully completing this program upon application to other RMIT University programs. Please check with admissions officer of your program of choice.

Pathways refer to related programs for which you may be eligible once you have graduated from your current program. Upon successful completion of this program you may be eligible to undertake further studies in RMIT University programs including the Bachelor of Justice and Criminology (Honours), Master of Justice and Criminology, Juris Doctor, Master of Public Policy and Master of International Development, subject to each program's entry requirements.

If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program.

Entrance requirements

Academic entrance requirements: Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 or equivalent senior secondary school studies, or RMIT Foundation Studies program, or a recognised post secondary diploma or certificate in a relevant discipline. Applicants with post secondary work experience in this field will also be considered.

VCE prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or at least 25 in any other English.

International English language requirements:

For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents web page

External accreditation and industry links

In Australia, there are no professional bodies that recognise or accredit programs in Criminal Justice. However, the program has strong, ongoing links with the Federal and Victorian (as well as other states and territories) Justice sectors. In particular, it has been characterised by its very close associations with industry organisations servicing policing, corrections, courts administration, customs, legal administration, investigations, juvenile justice, Human Services, and the Department of Justice.

Student expenses and charges in addition to fees

Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees. Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.

Library, IT and specialist resources

Library resources and services

As a student enrolled in a program at RMIT University, you can access the extensive services, facilities and study space provided by the Library. You can access books, journals and other course related materials, such as DVDs, past exams, newspapers and e-books. Through our document delivery service, you can also request items from any library in the world.

Computers for study are available at every Library site, where you can access the Internet, myRMIT (www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit) or Library e-resources. If you have a laptop, you can access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library.

Library staff can show you how to find information for your assignments or you can work through web-based tutorials or use our online Ask a Librarian service. The Library is continually expanding our electronic collections to make it easier for you to get the information you need when you need it. All RMIT University students have unlimited access to quality electronic resources such as, e-books, e-journals and newspapers.
You can find more information on Library resources and services at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library

Online learning tools and content

You can access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses at myRMIT studies www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit

Services available to you as a student at RMIT University

RMIT University provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals.